Tape dispenser having two sided cutter blade and method of manufacture

ABSTRACT

A tape dispenser has a cutter or cutting blade that has at least two rows of teeth opposite each other relative to the cutter or cutting blade. The blade is to be installed on the tape dispenser in any of at least two orientations. By installing the blade in any of at least two orientations, at least one row of teeth will always project from the dispensing end to cut adhesive tape as it is unwound from a roll after being dispensed. This type of blade permits an easier manufacturing ability by reducing or eliminating the need to ensure proper alignment of the teeth to project outwardly from the tape dispenser housing.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/832,159filed Mar. 27, 2020, the entire specification of which is incorporatedherein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to tape dispensers. Moreparticularly, the present disclosure relates to a cutter blade for atape dispenser. Specifically, the present disclosure relates to a cutterblade having two rows of teeth that enable the cutter blade to bequickly installed in a tape dispenser to eliminate the need of ensuringthat teeth properly project to cut adhesive tape dispensed to a desiredlength.

BACKGROUND

Tape dispensers are useful to dispense wound adhesive tape from a roll.Generally, there are two types of tape dispensers. There are reusabletape dispensers and disposable tape dispensers. Reusable tape dispensershave a frame or housing that is formed from a substantially rigidmaterial that is often metal or plastic. The reusable tape dispenseroften has a hub that is rotatably supported by the frame or housing.Then, a roll of wound adhesive tape slidably receives the hub androtates with the same during unwinding of the adhesive tape. Similarly,disposable tape dispensers have a hub, which is often fixed, that allowsa wound roll of adhesive tape to rotate about during unwinding of thetape.

Regardless of the type of tape dispenser, whether reusable ordisposable, each tape dispenser includes a cutter blade to cut thedispensed tape to a desired length. The cutter blade has teeth thatprotrude or project outwardly from the frame of the tape dispenser. Inmost tape dispensers, the teeth on the cutter blade project upwardly,however there are a minority of tape dispensers that have teeth thatproject outwardly in a different direction, such as handheld tapedispensers that have teeth that project downwardly.

The cutter blades on the tape dispensers are formed from a generallyplanar blade that has first and second sides that bound opposing majorsurfaces. A single row of teeth are formed along an upper or first edgeextending fully between the first and second sides. Opposite the teethformed in the first edge, most cutter blades have a flat bottom orsecond edge extending between the first and second sides. Other cutterblades have a bottom or second edge interrupted by one or two slots thatare used to couple the blade to mounting pins in the tape dispenserframe or housing. Regardless of whether the blade includes or does notinclude slots in the bottom edge, cutter blades do not have a row ofteeth that are along the bottom or second edge. The reason there are noteeth along the bottom or second edge is because the bottom edge isnever used to cut the adhesive tape, and thus, teeth along the bottom orsecond edge is functionally pointless with respect to cutting the tape.

To assemble the tape dispenser, the cutter blade must be aligned andoriented in a manner to ensure that the teeth on the cutter bladeproject outwardly to ensure that the cutter blade will cut the adhesivetape after being dispensed to a desired length by the user.

SUMMARY

It has recently been determined that the assembly of the tape dispensercan be improved. Namely, inasmuch as the teeth on the cutter blade onlyhave a single row of teeth, great care must be taken by an assemblymachine or assembly person to ensure that the teeth on the blade projectoutwardly to cut the tape after being dispensed to a desired length. Themanufacturing process requires the step of ensuring that the teethproject outwardly towards the tape because the cutter blade only has onerow of teeth. As such, increased time is imparted into the manufacturingprocess by requiring the proper alignment of the cutter blade. Thus, aneed continues to exist for device and method for increasingmanufacturing efficiency of a tape dispenser, regardless of whether thetape dispenser is reusable or disposable. To address this continuingneed, the present disclosure provides a cutter blade that has two rowsof teeth. There is a first row of teeth along a first longitudinal edge(usually the upper edge) and a second row of teeth along a secondlongitudinal edge (usually the lower edge). This forms a cutter bladethat is symmetrical. As such, the symmetrical blade can be quicklyinstalled on the dispenser without the need to ensure that the teeth areproperly aligned because a row of teeth will properly project from thehousing regardless of how the blade is installed. Stated otherwise, adual-sided cutter blade eliminates a manufacturing step and thusincreases overall efficiency in manufacture without added manufacturingcost, weight, or time. As such, aspects of the present disclosure relateto an improved tape dispenser having a two-sided cutter blade and amethod of manufacture that eliminates the step of ensure that the teethon the cutter blade are facing the correct cutting/projecting direction.

In one aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure mayprovide a tape dispenser comprising: a housing sized to dispenseadhesive tape wound in a roll carried by the housing; a dispensing endof the housing; a blade adjacent the dispensing end of the housing tocut the adhesive tape after a portion of adhesive tape is unwound fromthe roll; at least two rows of teeth on the blade. This exemplaryembodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further provide whereinthe two rows of teeth on the blade comprises: a first row of teethfacing a first direction; and a second row of teeth facing a seconddirection that is different than the first direction. This exemplaryembodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further provide whereinthe first direction is about 180° from the second direction. Thisexemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further providewherein the blade comprises: a first side edge and a second side edge; afirst major surface opposite a second major surface, wherein the firstand second major surfaces are bounded between the first side edge andthe second side edge; wherein the at least two rows of teeth on theblade includes a first row of teeth extending between the first sideedge and the second side edge and bounding the first and second majorsurfaces; wherein the at least two rows of teeth on the blade includes asecond row of teeth extending between the first side edge and the secondside edge and bounding the first and second major surfaces. Thisexemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may furtherprovide: an upper end of the blade defined by the first row of teeth;and a lower end of the blade defined by the second row of teeth. Thisexemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further providea bend in the blade between the upper end and the lower end. Thisexemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further providewherein bend is located approximately halfway between the upper end ofthe blade and the lower end of the blade and extends fully from thefirst side edge to the second side edge. This exemplary embodiment oranother exemplary embodiment may further provide wherein the bend in theblade defines a convex portion on the first major surface and a concaveportion on the second major surface. This exemplary embodiment oranother exemplary embodiment may further provide a channel defined bythe bend extending laterally along the second major surface of the bladefrom the first side edge to the second side edge. This exemplaryembodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further provide a slotformed near the dispensing end of the housing, wherein the slot isshaped complementary to a profile shape of the blade. This exemplaryembodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further provide aninternal projection in the housing near the dispensing end of thehousing, wherein the internal projection is disposed within the channeladapted to retain the blade in a fixed position. This exemplaryembodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further provide a fixedconnection of the blade to the housing to preclude the second row ofteeth from ever contacting the adhesive tape. This exemplary embodimentor another exemplary embodiment may further provide a vertical axis ofthe blade extending centrally from the upper end to the lower end; alateral axis of the blade extending centrally from the first side edgeto the second side edge, wherein the lateral axis is perpendicular tothe vertical axis; wherein the blade is symmetrical about the verticalaxis and the lateral axis.

In another aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure mayprovide a method of manufacturing a tape dispenser comprising: aligninga blade with a dispensing end of a tape dispenser housing, wherein theblade includes a first row of teeth and a second row of teeth; couplingthe blade to a portion of the housing near the dispensing end of thehousing; securing the blade to the housing; exposing the first row ofteeth adapted to cut adhesive tape that is unwound from a roll carriedby housing; and orienting the second row of teeth in a direction that isadapted to remain unused when adhesive tape is cut. This exemplaryembodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further provide providingan exposed row of teeth adapted to cut adhesive tape regardless ofwhether an upper end or a lower end of the blade is oriented above theother during the aligning of the blade with the dispensing end of thehousing. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment mayfurther provide sliding the blade laterally into a slot formed near thedispensing end of the housing. This exemplary embodiment or anotherexemplary embodiment may further provide wherein orienting another rowof teeth is accomplished by concealing another row of teeth within thehousing adapted to remain unused when adhesive tape is cut.

In another aspect, and exemplary embodiment of the present disclosuremay provide a cutter blade for use in a tape dispenser comprising: afirst major surface opposite a second major surface; a first side edgeand a second side edge bounding the first and second major surfaces; afirst row of teeth extending between the first side edge and the secondside edge, wherein the first row of teeth defines an upper end of thecutter blade bounding the first and second major surfaces; and a secondrow of teeth extending between the first side edge and the second sideedge, wherein the second row of teeth defines a lower end of the cutterblade bounding the first and second major surfaces; wherein the cutterblade is sized to fit within a dispensing end of tape dispenser housing.This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may furtherprovide a bend in the cutter blade between the upper end and the lowerend. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment mayfurther provide wherein bend is located approximately halfway betweenthe upper end of the cutter blade and the lower end of the blade andextends fully from the first side edge to the second side edge, andwherein the bend in the cutter blade defines a convex portion on thefirst major surface and a concave portion on the second major surface.

In yet another aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosuremay provide a tape dispenser having a cutter or cutting blade that hasat least two rows of teeth opposite each other relative to the cutter orcutting blade. The blade is to be installed on the tape dispenser in anyof at least two orientations. By installing the blade in any of at leasttwo orientations, at least one row of teeth will always project from thedispensing end to cut adhesive tape as it is unwound from a roll afterbeing dispensed. This type of blade permits an easier manufacturingability by reducing or eliminating the need to ensure proper alignmentof the teeth to project outwardly from the tape dispenser housing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

A sample embodiment of the disclosure is set forth in the followingdescription, is shown in the drawings and is particularly and distinctlypointed out and set forth in the appended claims. The accompanyingdrawings, which are fully incorporated herein and constitute a part ofthe specification, illustrate various examples, methods, and otherexample embodiments of various aspects of the disclosure. It will beappreciated that the illustrated element boundaries (e.g., boxes, groupsof boxes, or other shapes) in the figures represent one example of theboundaries. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that insome examples one element may be designed as multiple elements or thatmultiple elements may be designed as one element. In some examples, anelement shown as an internal component of another element may beimplemented as an external component and vice versa. Furthermore,elements may not be drawn to scale.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tape dispenser having a two-sided ordual-sided cutter blade in accordance with an exemplary aspect of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a two-sided or dual-sided cutter bladein accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is an exploded plan view of the tape dispenser of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view of the region labeled “SEE FIG. 4 ” inFIG. 3 depicting the two-sided or dual-sided cutter blade installedwithin a dispensing end of the tape dispenser housing.

FIG. 5A is a top perspective view of the cutter blade in a firstorientation.

FIG. 5B is a top perspective view of the cutter blade in a secondorientation.

FIG. 5C is an operational perspective view of the cutter blade beinginstalled into the tape dispenser housing regardless of the orientationof the cutter blade shown in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B.

FIG. 5D is an operational perspective view of a tool being removed afterinstalling the cutter blade into the tape dispenser housing.

FIG. 5E is an operational perspective view of the dispensing end of thehousing depicting a part of the housing being connected with anotherpart of the housing to secure the dual-sided cutter blade therein.

Similar numbers refer to similar parts throughout the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A tape dispenser in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosureis shown generally at 10 throughout the figures. Notably, while tapedispenser 10 is a reusable-type of tape dispenser, the inventiveconcepts disclosed herein apply equally to non-reusable-type (i.e.,disposable) tape dispensers, as well. Tape dispenser 10 has a two-sidedor dual-sided cutter blade 40 that may be universally installed suchthat the blade 40 provides an exposed row of teeth from the tapedispenser near its dispensing end regardless of the way the blade 40 isinstalled. Stated otherwise, the cutter blade 40 is reversible and has arow of teeth along its upper edge and its lower edge as substantiallydescribed herein to reduce or eliminate a manufacturing step of ensuringproper alignment with the cutting teeth exposed in an outward direction.

FIG. 1 depicts that tape dispenser 10 includes a dispensing end 12opposite a rear end 14 defining a longitudinal direction therebetween.Tape dispenser 10 includes a first side 16 opposite a second side 18defining a transverse or lateral direction therebetween. Tape dispenser10 includes a top or upper end 20 opposite a bottom or lower end 22defining a vertical direction therebetween. The vertical, transverse orlateral, and longitudinal directions are all orthogonal to each other.

Tape dispenser 10 includes a roll of wound adhesive tape 24 that issupported by a hub 26 (FIG. 3 ) that is housed within a housing 28 ofthe tape dispenser 10.

When the tape dispenser 10 is a reusable-type of tape dispenser, thehousing 28 may be formed of two parts or two portions. A first part 30of the housing 28 may releasably connect with a second part 32 ofhousing 28 to define a longitudinally extending union 34. A cylindricalsupport 36 (FIG. 3 ) may be on either the first part 30 or the secondpart 32 and project laterally relative to an inner surface thereoftowards the other of the first part 30 or second part 32 and rotatablysupport the hub 26 thereon. As commonly understood, tape 24 may bedispensed from the tape dispenser housing 28 in a longitudinal directiontowards the dispensing end 12.

Tape dispenser 10 includes the blade 40 positioned adjacent thedispensing end 12 of the housing 28 to cut the adhesive tape 24 after aportion of the adhesive tape is unwound. In accordance with one aspectof the present disclosure, the blade 40 includes at least two rows ofteeth on the blade.

FIG. 2 depicts blade 40 that includes an upper edge 42 opposite a bottomedge 44 and a first side edge 46 opposite a second side edge 48. A firstmajor surface of the blade 40 is bound between the upper and bottomedges 42, 44 and bound between the first and second side edges 46, 48. Asecond major surface 52 is opposite the first major surface 50 and boundbetween the upper and bottom edges 42, 44, and bound between the firstand second side edges 46, 48. The upper edge 42 defines a first row ofteeth 54 and the bottom edge 44 defines a second row of teeth 56. Thefirst row of teeth face a first direction and the second row of teeth 56face a second direction. The second direction is different than thefirst direction in which the first row of teeth 54 face. In oneparticular embodiment, the directional alignment of the first and secondrows of teeth 54, 56 are opposite each other. Stated otherwise, thefirst direction in which the first row of teeth 54 face is about 180degrees from the second direction in which the second row of teeth 56face. The blade 40 is elongated in the lateral direction and defines alateral axis 58. When the lateral axis 58 is centered between the upperedge 42 and the bottom edge 44, the first row of teeth 54 is offset toan opposite side of the lateral axis 58 relative to the second row ofteeth 56.

With continued reference to FIG. 2 , blade 40 includes a laterallyelongated projection 60 extending from the first side edge 46 to thesecond side edge 48 in the direction of the lateral axis 58. In oneparticular embodiment, the projection 60 is centered between the upperedge 42 and the bottom edge 44. However, it is possible for theprojection 60 to be located in other positions between the upper edge 42and the bottom edge 44. Further, while it is shown that the projection60 extends fully or entirely from the first side edge 46 to the secondside edge 48, it is possible that the projection 60 only laterallyextends a portion of the lateral length of the blade 40 so as to notfully extend between the first side edge 46 and the second side edge 48.In the embodiment shown in which the projection 60 extends entirelybetween the first side edge 46 and the second side edge 48, there isformed a channel 62 that extends entirely from the first side edge 46 tothe second side edge 48. The channel 62 is defined by the projection 60being offset and extending rearward from the first row of teeth 54 andthe second row of teeth 56.

In one particular embodiment, projection 60 is formed by a bend in theblade 40 between the upper end 42 and the lower end 44 (in thisparticular instance, the bend is also denoted as reference numeral 60).The bend 60 may take on any geometrical configuration. In the embodimentas shown, which is exemplary, the bend defines a semi-cylindricalconfiguration that defines the channel 62. As such, the bend 60 definesa convex surface 64 on the first major surface 50 and a concave surface66 on the second major surface 52. The convex surface 64 and the concavesurface 66 may have the approximately same radius of curvature relativeto lateral axis 58. However, it is to be understood that the radius ofcurvature of the convex surface and the concave surface 64, 66 maydiffer slightly due to the thickness of the blade 40 between the firstmajor surface 50 and the second major surface 52. In one particularembodiment, the bend 60 is manufactured in the manner that creates firstand second minor convex surfaces 68 in the second major surface 52 thatstraddle both sides of the concave surface 66. Similarly, bend 60 maydefine first and second minor concave surfaces 70 in the first majorsurface 50 that straddle the upper and lower ends of the convex surface64. Collectively, the minor convex surfaces 68 and the minor concavesurfaces 70 define a lateral first channel edge 72 and a lateral secondchannel edge 74 that bound the channel 62 and extend fully from thefirst side edge 46 to the second side edge 48. Blade 40 includes a topportion 76 that extends upwardly from the first channel edge 72 to thefirst row of teeth 54. Blade 40 includes a lower portion 78 that extendsdownwardly from the second lateral channel edge 74 to the second row ofteeth 56. In one particular embodiment, the upper portion 76 and thelower portion 78 are dimensionally similar such that the blade may beconsidered symmetric relative to a vertical axis as well as symmetricrelative to the lateral axis 58. Notably, the blade 40 could stillremain symmetrical relative a vertical axis even if the projection orbend 60 is shifted slightly upward or slightly downward such that theupper portion or lower portion would be larger than the other as thecase may be.

The first row of teeth 54 and the second row of teeth 56 are bothdimensionally-sized and shaped in a manner that would result oreffectuate the cutting of tape 24 after being unwound and dispensedtowards the dispensing end 12 of the housing 28. Thus, the teeth 54, 56may be considered identical replications of each other according to oneaspect of the present disclosure. However, it is entirely possible forthe first row of teeth 54 and the second row of teeth 56 to havedifferent size cutting edges or cutting dimensions. However, in eachinstance, each row of teeth 54, 56 should be shaped and sized in amanner that would effectuate the cutting of tape 24. Stated otherwise,each row of teeth 54, 56 has linear edges that may be sharpened todefine points 80 spaced between immediately adjacent valleys 82 on eachside of each respective point 80, each row of teeth 54, 56 is sharpenedin a manner that would result in easily cutting tape 24.

As described in greater detail herein, according to one exemplaryaspect, blade 40 having first and second rows of teeth 54, 56 on eachend of the blade 40 enables the blade 40 to be quickly installed in thedispensing end 12 of the housing 28 of tape dispenser 10 so as toeliminate or reduce the need of properly aligning the blade to ensurethat teeth properly project outwardly from the dispensing end 12 of thehousing 28 of tape dispenser 10. Thus, one row of teeth will remainunused during the dispensing action of tape dispenser 10 inasmuch as itwill be oriented in a direction opposite the other row of teeth that isbeing used to cut the tape 24. This exemplary advantage enables the tapedispenser 10 to be assembled in a faster manner without requiring anassembly machine or assembly person to ensure that the row of teeth areproperly projecting in the correct cutting direction. Namely, previouscutter blades that only have a single row of teeth must be properlyaligned, and thus require an extra manufacturing step, to ensure thatthe single row of teeth project outwardly from the blade and theopposite edge that does not have a row of teeth would be secured withinthe housing. The two-sided or dual sided cutter blade 40 of the presentdisclosure enables each blade to be rapidly installed into the housing28, or installed into one part, either first part 30 or second part 32,and ensures that at least one row of teeth, either the first row 54 orthe second row 56, are always projecting outwardly from the dispensingend 12 of the housing 28.

FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 depict the assembled arrangement of the blade 40 inthe housing 12. More particularly, as depicted in FIG. 3 , an explodedview of the reusable tape dispenser 10 is shown with the blade 40 beingaffixed near the dispensing end 12 of the first part 30 of housing 28.

FIG. 4 depicts that the first part 30 of housing 28 defines an opening84 at dispensing end 12. Opening 84 is defined between a first wall 86and a second wall 88. First wall 86 includes a first leg 90 and a secondleg 92. The first leg 90 has a primary axis extending from a terminalend 94 to a rear end 96. Second leg 92 extends rearward and downwardfrom end 96 to a lower end 98. The primary axis of the second leg 92extends from end 96 to end 98. The primary axis of the first leg 90 isapproximately 120 degrees to approximately 150 degrees from the primaryaxis of the second leg 92. Second leg 92 may include a downward andforward projection 100 having a flat surface 102 that extends forwardlydownward further from the rest of the second leg 92. The flat surface102 is configured to contact the first major surface 50 on the lowerportion 78 of blade 40 (or the surface 50 on the upper portion 76 if theblade is installed upside down).

Second wall 88 includes an upper terminal end 104 and a lower end 106. Acylinder or cylindrical extension 108 (which may also be referred to asa housing projection) is connected to the second wall 88 via a shortconnection wall 110 adjacent the upper terminal end 104. The cylinder108 includes a convex outer surface 112. The radius of curvature of theconvex outer surface 112 complements the radius of curvature of theconcave surface 62 of the projection 60 of blade 40. Stated otherwise,the outer surface of cylinder 108 is shaped complementary to the innersurface of the projection 60. It will be appreciated that if theprojection has a differing shape than a semi-circular bend, the shape ofthe cylinder would need to be changed in order to nest or complement theshape of the projection 60. Thus, if the projection 60 is formed in anangular manner, a similar angular outer surface complementary to that ofthe projection would be used to form cylinder 108. In this instance, thecylinder would not necessarily be considered a cylinder because it wouldnot have a smooth convex outer surface but rather it would simply be aprojection extending in a cantilevered manner from the inner surface ofthe first part 30.

With continued reference to FIG. 4 , the housing 28 defines a slot 114between the first wall 86 and the second wall 88. The slot is configuredto slidably receive the blade therein. The blade 40 is to be slid withinthe slot 114 between the first wall 86 and the second wall 88. The slotreceives the blade therein. When the blade 40 is slid within the slot114 between the first wall 86 and the second wall 88, the blade 40contacts portions of the housing, namely the first wall 86 and thesecond wall 88, in certain ways to provide a frictional interference fitto connect or secure the blade to the housing near the dispensing end12. When the blade 40 is in this frictional interference connection withportions of the housing, one row of teeth projects outwardly from thedispensing end 12 through the opening 84 to be exposed so as to allowthe teeth, which in this instance as shown is the first row of teeth 54,to cut tape as it is being dispensed. The frictional interference fit ofthe blade with the housing 28 also precludes the other row of teeth,which in this instance is the second row of teeth 56, from contactingthe adhesive tape 24 while it is dispensed. The slot 114 is shapedcomplementary to a profile shape of the blade 40. As used herein, theprofile shape of the blade refers to the shape of the blade in crosssection. Thus, the profile shape of the blade, when viewed in crosssection, has generally flat and vertical respective upper and lowersurfaces defined by the upper portion 76 and the lower portion 78.Between the flat portions of the profile of the blade 40 is a geometricconfiguration defined by the projection 60. In the shown embodiments,the projection defines a semicircular or arcuate configuration thatcurves outwardly towards the direction of the first major surface.However, as explained in greater detail herein, the shape of theprojection may take on any geometric configuration and could be angularsuch as the shape of a triangle or may be square-shaped or any othergeometric configuration.

In one particular exemplary aspect, and as shown is FIG. 4 , when theblade 40 is connected with the housing 28, the first row of teeth 54extend outwardly from the dispensing end 12 of the housing 28. The upperportion 76 of the blade 40 is disposed within the opening 84 definedbetween the terminal ends 94, 104 of the first leg 90 of the first wall86 and the second wall 88, respectively. The convex outer surface 112 ofcylinder 108 fits or nests within the channel 62 of blade 40 so as tocontact the concave surface 66 of the projection or bend 60. The lowerportion 78 is disposed in a manner such that it contacts the projection100 on the second leg 92 of first wall 86 such that the flat wall 102contacts the first major surface 50 of the blade 40 at the lower portion78. The second row of teeth 56 are disposed within the housing in adownward manner that is opposite the projection of the first row ofteeth 54.

With continued reference to FIG. 4 , the housing may include otherstructural supports 116 to stiffen the dispensing end of the housing 28.The structural supports 116 may be formed in any configuration, shape orsize to provide a sufficient rigidity to the dispensing end 12 of thetape dispenser 10. This is because the housing 28 is ordinarily formedof plastic material, thus structural supports may strengthen thedispensing end 12 of the housing 28 of tape dispenser 10.

FIG. 5A-5E depict the assembly of tape dispenser 10 according to anexemplary method of the present disclosure of the blade with the housing28. In short, FIG. 5A-5E depict aligning the blade 40 with dispensingend 12 of the housing 28. Then, coupling the blade 40 to the housingnear its dispensing end 12 and securing the blade thereto. Then,securing, which has been described herein as a frictional interferencefit, could also be accomplished through using any chemical means,mechanical means, or any non-chemical and non-mechanical means.Positioning the blade in this orientation exposes at least one row ofteeth which is adapted to cut the adhesive tape 24 as it is unwound fromthe housing 28. This also orients the second row of teeth in a directionthat is adapted to remain unused when the adhesive tape 24 is cut.

FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B depict the universality of blade 40. FIG. 5A depictsthat the blade 40 may be oriented in a first configuration and FIG. 5Bdepicts that the blade may be oriented in a second configuration.Namely, the first row of teeth 54 are shown by exemplary dot-dash box Aand the second row of teeth 56 are enclosed with an exemplary dot-dashbox B. In FIG. 5B the blade 40 is shown as having been rotated 180degrees, as indicated by Arrow C, in which the first row of teeth 54 areenclosed by exemplary dot-dash box A and a second row of teeth 54 areenclosed by exemplary dot-dash box B. When in the first orientation(FIG. 5A), the first side edge 46 is oriented downward and the secondside edge 48 is oriented upward. In the second configuration (FIG. 5B),the second side edge 48 is oriented downward and the first side edge 46is oriented upward.

FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B further depict an exemplary tool 120 that could beused to grasp the blade 40 via the projection 60 to allow it to beinserted into the housing 20. However, the shape of the tool 120 may beany configuration suitable to grasp the blade 40 in either the firstconfiguration (FIG. 5A) or the second configuration (FIG. 5B). Thus,tool 120 does not need to have a cylinder that is shaped complementaryto the projection 60. For example, the elimination of tool 120 isentirely possible and the insertion of the blade into the housing couldbe accomplished by hand.

FIG. 5C depicts the insertion of the blade, which may be in eitherorientation, laterally in the direction of Arrow D. FIG. 5C assumes theorientation shown in FIG. 5A such that the first side edge 46 laterallyapproaches the slot 114 defined between the first wall 86 and the secondwall 88. The insertion of the blade 40 into the slot 114 disposes thecylinder 108 within the channel 62 of the blade as described above withreference to FIG. 4 .

FIG. 5D depicts the removal of the tool 120 in the direction of Arrow Ewhich is opposite that the Arrow D. The removal of the tool 120positions the blade 40 within the dispensing end of the housing 28 oftape dispenser 10 in a configuration such that the first row of teeth 54are exposed outwardly to cut the tape 24 while the second of teeth 56remain unused. While the second row of teeth remain unused during thecutting action of the tape 24, it is not to say that this second row ofteeth 56 are without benefit. Namely, the symmetrical nature of theblade 40 enables the blade 40 to be picked up by the tool 120, or by anassembly person's hands and so long as the tool connects with the blade40, the step of orienting the teeth in the proper direction iseliminated or significantly reduced inasmuch as regardless of whichorientation the tool inserts the blade 40 into the housing 28 (the twoorientations are shown in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B), at least one row ofteeth will always be exposed outwardly through the opening 84 at thedispensing end 12 of the housing 28 which will allow the exposed teethto cut the tape 24 as it is dispensed from its roll. As such, whilethere is one row of teeth that is exposed after sliding the bladelaterally into the slot 114 form near the dispensing end 12 of thehousing, there is another row of teeth that is concealed within thehousing and are configured or adapted to remain unused during thecutting action of the adhesive tape.

FIG. 5E completes the assembly process in which the second part 32 ofhousing 28 is releasably connected to the first part 30. The manner inwhich the second part 32 connects to the first part 38 of housing 28 maybe accomplished in any conventionally known manner; however, it isenvisioned that a simple press fit mechanical connection using springtabs or other pliable plastic connectors could be the most simpleconnection mechanism.

Another exemplary advantage of the blade 40 is that it may be reversiblein the event one row of teeth is ever dulled and needs replaced. In thisinstance, rather than replacing a new blade with a new row of teeth, auser of the tape dispenser 10 may simply disconnect the first part 30from the second part 32. Then, the user may pry and slidably remove theblade from its connection with the housing by extracting it from theslot 114. The blade then may be reversed such that the other row ofteeth is oriented to face an opposite direction than it was previouslydisposed. The user may then slidably reinsert the same blade in theopposite configuration back into the slot 114 and connect the first andsecond parts 30, 32 back together and have an exposed row of teeth thatwere previously unused and would be in a sharp condition, thus doublingthe lifespan of the blade 40.

Various inventive concepts may be embodied as one or more methods, ofwhich an example has been provided. The acts performed as part of themethod may be ordered in any suitable way. Accordingly, embodiments maybe constructed in which acts are performed in an order different thanillustrated, which may include performing some acts simultaneously, eventhough shown as sequential acts in illustrative embodiments.

While various inventive embodiments have been described and illustratedherein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision avariety of other means and/or structures for performing the functionand/or obtaining the results and/or one or more of the advantagesdescribed herein, and each of such variations and/or modifications isdeemed to be within the scope of the inventive embodiments describedherein. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciatethat all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations describedherein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters,dimensions, materials, and/or configurations will depend upon thespecific application or applications for which the inventive teachingsis/are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able toascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalentsto the specific inventive embodiments described herein. It is,therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presentedby way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claimsand equivalents thereto, inventive embodiments may be practicedotherwise than as specifically described and claimed. Inventiveembodiments of the present disclosure are directed to each individualfeature, system, article, material, kit, and/or method described herein.In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems,articles, materials, kits, and/or methods, if such features, systems,articles, materials, kits, and/or methods are not mutually inconsistent,is included within the inventive scope of the present disclosure.

All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood tocontrol over dictionary definitions, definitions in documentsincorporated by reference, and/or ordinary meanings of the definedterms.

The articles “a” and “an,” as used herein in the specification and inthe claims, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, should beunderstood to mean “at least one.” The phrase “and/or,” as used hereinin the specification and in the claims (if at all), should be understoodto mean “either or both” of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elementsthat are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively presentin other cases. Multiple elements listed with “and/or” should beconstrued in the same fashion, i.e., “one or more” of the elements soconjoined. Other elements may optionally be present other than theelements specifically identified by the “and/or” clause, whether relatedor unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as anon-limiting example, a reference to “A and/or B”, when used inconjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising” can refer, inone embodiment, to A only (optionally including elements other than B);in another embodiment, to B only (optionally including elements otherthan A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionallyincluding other elements); etc. As used herein in the specification andin the claims, “or” should be understood to have the same meaning as“and/or” as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list,“or” or “and/or” shall be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., theinclusion of at least one, but also including more than one, of a numberor list of elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted items. Onlyterms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as “only one of” or“exactly one of,” or, when used in the claims, “consisting of,” willrefer to the inclusion of exactly one element of a number or list ofelements. In general, the term “or” as used herein shall only beinterpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e. “one or the otherbut not both”) when preceded by terms of exclusivity, such as “either,”“one of,” “only one of,” or “exactly one of.” “Consisting essentiallyof,” when used in the claims, shall have its ordinary meaning as used inthe field of patent law.

As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the phrase “atleast one,” in reference to a list of one or more elements, should beunderstood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more ofthe elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including atleast one of each and every element specifically listed within the listof elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the listof elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally bepresent other than the elements specifically identified within the listof elements to which the phrase “at least one” refers, whether relatedor unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as anon-limiting example, “at least one of A and B” (or, equivalently, “atleast one of A or B,” or, equivalently “at least one of A and/or B”) canrefer, in one embodiment, to at least one, optionally including morethan one, A, with no B present (and optionally including elements otherthan B); in another embodiment, to at least one, optionally includingmore than one, B, with no A present (and optionally including elementsother than A); in yet another embodiment, to at least one, optionallyincluding more than one, A, and at least one, optionally including morethan one, B (and optionally including other elements); etc.

When a feature or element is herein referred to as being “on” anotherfeature or element, it can be directly on the other feature or elementor intervening features and/or elements may also be present. Incontrast, when a feature or element is referred to as being “directlyon” another feature or element, there are no intervening features orelements present. It will also be understood that, when a feature orelement is referred to as being “connected”, “attached” or “coupled” toanother feature or element, it can be directly connected, attached orcoupled to the other feature or element or intervening features orelements may be present. In contrast, when a feature or element isreferred to as being “directly connected”, “directly attached” or“directly coupled” to another feature or element, there are nointervening features or elements present. Although described or shownwith respect to one embodiment, the features and elements so describedor shown can apply to other embodiments. It will also be appreciated bythose of skill in the art that references to a structure or feature thatis disposed “adjacent” another feature may have portions that overlap orunderlie the adjacent feature.

Spatially relative terms, such as “under”, “below”, “lower”, “over”,“upper”, “above”, “behind”, “in front of”, and the like, may be usedherein for ease of description to describe one element or feature'srelationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in thefigures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms areintended to encompass different orientations of the device in use oroperation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. Forexample, if a device in the figures is inverted, elements described as“under” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented“over” the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “under”can encompass both an orientation of over and under. The device may beotherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and thespatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.Similarly, the terms “upwardly”, “downwardly”, “vertical”, “horizontal”,“lateral”, “transverse”, “longitudinal”, and the like are used hereinfor the purpose of explanation only unless specifically indicatedotherwise.

Although the terms “first” and “second” may be used herein to describevarious features/elements, these features/elements should not be limitedby these terms, unless the context indicates otherwise. These terms maybe used to distinguish one feature/element from another feature/element.Thus, a first feature/element discussed herein could be termed a secondfeature/element, and similarly, a second feature/element discussedherein could be termed a first feature/element without departing fromthe teachings of the present invention.

An embodiment is an implementation or example of the present disclosure.Reference in the specification to “an embodiment,” “one embodiment,”“some embodiments,” “one particular embodiment,” or “other embodiments,”or the like, means that a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic described in connection with the embodiments is includedin at least some embodiments, but not necessarily all embodiments, ofthe invention. The various appearances “an embodiment,” “oneembodiment,” “some embodiments,” “one particular embodiment,” or “otherembodiments,” or the like, are not necessarily all referring to the sameembodiments.

If this specification states a component, feature, structure, orcharacteristic “may”, “might”, or “could” be included, that particularcomponent, feature, structure, or characteristic is not required to beincluded. If the specification or claim refers to “a” or “an” element,that does not mean there is only one of the element. If thespecification or claims refer to “an additional” element, that does notpreclude there being more than one of the additional element.

As used herein in the specification and claims, including as used in theexamples and unless otherwise expressly specified, all numbers may beread as if prefaced by the word “about” or “approximately,” even if theterm does not expressly appear. The phrase “about” or “approximately”may be used when describing magnitude and/or position to indicate thatthe value and/or position described is within a reasonable expectedrange of values and/or positions. For example, a numeric value may havea value that is +/−0.1% of the stated value (or range of values), +/−1%of the stated value (or range of values), +/−2% of the stated value (orrange of values), +/−5% of the stated value (or range of values), +/−10%of the stated value (or range of values), etc. Any numerical rangerecited herein is intended to include all sub-ranges subsumed therein.

Additionally, any method of performing the present disclosure may occurin a sequence different than those described herein. Accordingly, nosequence of the method should be read as a limitation unless explicitlystated. It is recognizable that performing some of the steps of themethod in a different order could achieve a similar result.

In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all transitionalphrases such as “comprising,” “including,” “carrying,” “having,”“containing,” “involving,” “holding,” “composed of,” and the like are tobe understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limitedto. Only the transitional phrases “consisting of” and “consistingessentially of” shall be closed or semi-closed transitional phrases,respectively, as set forth in the United States Patent Office Manual ofPatent Examining Procedures.

In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity,clarity, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be impliedtherefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms areused for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed.

Moreover, the description and illustration of various embodiments of thedisclosure are examples and the disclosure is not limited to the exactdetails shown or described.

What is claimed:
 1. A cutter blade comprising: a first major surfaceopposite a second major surface; a first side edge and a second sideedge bounding the first and second major surfaces; a planar firstportion and a planar second portion, wherein the planar first portionand the planar second portion are approximately coplanar with eachother; a first row of teeth that extends laterally between the firstside edge and the second side edge, wherein the first row of teethdefines a first end of the cutter blade bounding the first and secondmajor surfaces; a second row of teeth that extends laterally between thefirst side edge and the second side edge, wherein the second row ofteeth defines a second end of the cutter blade bounding the first andsecond major surfaces; and a bend defining a channel that extendslaterally across the cutter blade between the planar first portion andthe planar second portion; wherein the cutter blade is adapted to fitwithin a dispensing end of a dispenser housing via a housing projectionnested within the channel in the cutter blade.
 2. The cutter blade ofclaim 1, wherein the bend is located approximately halfway between thefirst end of the cutter blade and the second end of the blade andextends in a lateral direction fully from the first side edge to thesecond side edge, and wherein the bend in the cutter blade defines aconvex portion on the first major surface and a concave portion on thesecond major surface.
 3. The cutter blade of claim 2, wherein theconcave portion is adapted to engage the housing projective via africtional interference fit.
 4. The cutter blade of claim 1, wherein thefirst row of teeth face a first direction and the second row of teethface a second direction that is different than the first direction. 5.The cutter blade of claim 4, wherein the first direction is about 180°from the second direction.
 6. The cutter blade of claim 1, furthercomprising: a vertical axis of the blade extending centrally from thefirst end to the second end; and wherein the cutter blade is symmetricalabout the vertical axis.
 7. The cutter blade of claim 6, furthercomprising: a lateral axis of the blade extending centrally from thefirst side edge to the second side edge, wherein the lateral axis isperpendicular to the vertical axis; and wherein the cutter blade issymmetrical about the lateral axis.
 8. The cutter blade of claim 1,further comprising: a lateral axis of the blade extending centrally fromthe first side edge to the second side edge; a convex surface on thefirst major surface having a radius of curvature relative to the lateralaxis; a concave surface on the second major surface having a radius ofcurvature relative to the lateral axis; wherein the radius of curvatureof the convex surface and the concave surface are approximately the samediffering only by a thickness of the cutter blade.
 9. The cutter bladeof claim 8, further comprising: first and second minor convex surfacesin the second major surface that straddle the concave surface.
 10. Thecutter blade of claim 8, further comprising: first and second minorconcave surfaces in the first major surface that straddle the convexsurface.
 11. A cutter blade comprising: a first major surface opposite asecond major surface; a first side edge and a second side edge boundingthe first and second major surfaces; a planar first portion and a planarsecond portion; a first row of teeth that extends laterally between thefirst side edge and the second side edge, wherein the first row of teethdefines a first end of the cutter blade bounding the first and secondmajor surfaces; a second row of teeth that extends laterally between thefirst side edge and the second side edge, wherein the second row ofteeth defines a second end of the cutter blade bounding the first andsecond major surfaces; and a semi-circular bend defining a channel thatextends laterally across the cutter blade between the planar firstportion and the planar second portion; wherein the cutter blade isadapted to fit within a dispensing end of a dispenser housing via ahousing projection nested within the channel in the cutter blade. 12.The cutter blade of claim 11, wherein the semi-circular bend is locatedapproximately halfway between the first end of the cutter blade and thesecond end of the blade and extends in a lateral direction fully fromthe first side edge to the second side edge, and wherein the bend in thecutter blade defines a convex portion on the first major surface and aconcave portion on the second major surface.
 13. The cutter blade ofclaim 12, wherein the concave portion is adapted to engage the housingprojective via a frictional interference fit.
 14. The cutter blade ofclaim 11, wherein the first row of teeth face a first direction and thesecond row of teeth face a second direction that is different than thefirst direction.
 15. The cutter blade of claim 14, wherein the firstdirection is about 180° from the second direction.
 16. The cutter bladeof claim 11, further comprising: a vertical axis of the blade extendingcentrally from the first end to the second end; and wherein the cutterblade is symmetrical about the vertical axis.
 17. The cutter blade ofclaim 16, further comprising: a lateral axis of the blade extendingcentrally from the first side edge to the second side edge, wherein thelateral axis is perpendicular to the vertical axis; and wherein thecutter blade is symmetrical about the lateral axis.
 18. The cutter bladeof claim 11, further comprising: a lateral axis of the blade extendingcentrally from the first side edge to the second side edge; a convexsurface on the first major surface having a radius of curvature relativeto the lateral axis; a concave surface on the second major surfacehaving a radius of curvature relative to the lateral axis; wherein theradius of curvature of the convex surface and the concave surface areapproximately the same differing only by a thickness of the cutterblade.
 19. The cutter blade of claim 18, further comprising: first andsecond minor convex surfaces in the second major surface that straddlethe concave surface.
 20. The cutter blade of claim 18, furthercomprising: first and second minor concave surfaces in the first majorsurface that straddle the convex surface.